Bell Textron Canada to extend lifespan of Canadian CH-146 Griffon helicopters.

The Canadian government has allocated $1.7 billion (2.28 billion Canadian dollars) to extend the lifespan of its CH-146 Griffon helicopters. Bell Textron Canada Limited (BTCL) has been selected for this initiative, which aims not only to enhance safety but also to create jobs across the country.
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This initiative is aimed at maintaining the operational readiness of the 82 CH-146 Griffon helicopters  (Picture source: US DoD)

The Canadian government and Bell Textron Canada Limited have partnered to provide essential in-service support for the CH-146 Griffon helicopters, a key component of the Royal Canadian Air Force. This initiative, aimed at maintaining the operational readiness of the 82 CH-146 Griffon helicopters based at 11 locations across Canada, represents a commitment to support a robust air fleet.

Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, announced the contract, emphasizing Canada's commitment to national defense. This contract with BTCL will ensure that the CH-146 Griffon helicopters remain operational until the mid-2030s.

Starting from April 2024, BTCL will oversee various aspects of the program, including management, engineering, and technical services. The work, spread across several provinces, is expected to generate or maintain approximately 1,130 jobs, thus boosting the national economy.

This contract also aligns with the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, extending BTCL's commitment to the Canadian supply chain and benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises. Economically, BTCL's involvement is expected to add a minimum of $93 million (125 million Canadian dollars) annually to Canada's GDP throughout the contract period.

Several ministers have highlighted the importance of this investment. Minister Bill Blair underscored the crucial role of the CH-146 Griffon in tactical aviation, special operations, and search and rescue missions, while Minister François-Philippe Champagne emphasized the positive economic impact on the Canadian aerospace sector. Michael Nault, Vice President and General Manager of Bell Textron Canada Ltd., expressed pride in supporting the Canadian Armed Forces and fostering national expertise.

The agreement is seen as a step toward ensuring the longevity of Canada's air defense fleet and follows a previous $800 million contract awarded to BTCL in May 2022 for the limited lifespan extension project of the Griffon.

According to the GlobalData report "Defense Market in Canada 2023-2028," while plans are in place to replace the CH-146 Griffon helicopters, a contract for their replacement has not yet been finalized.